Ex Nihilo 2017 EDP

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French Affair

by Quentin Bisch

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Ex Nihilo French Affair is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2017, created by Quentin Bisch. French Affair opens with Bergamot, Violet Leaf, and Litchi, settles into a heart of Angelica, Cedar, and Rose, and dries down to a base of Vetiver, Patchouli, and Oakmoss. Ex Nihilo's French Affair carries a Favourite verdict, a woody-led wear.

French Affair is a divisive beast: a modern chypre that’s either a masterpiece of sophisticated, earthy allure or a musty old house, depending on who you ask. Brace yourself for compliments, or complaints.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Sophisticated
  • Edgy
  • Classic
  • Bold
  • Mysterious
$339.99 at Maple Prime 3.4 fl oz (100 ml) · plus sales tax Check price on → Check prices ↓
French Affair Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

ScentArt

ScentArt Gallery What is ScentArt?

Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Fall
Also Works:
Winter

Built for the cooler edges of the year - autumn and spring pair best.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Casual

Given its strong sillage and impressive longevity often highlighted by reviewers, it's best reserved for social outings where it won't overwhelm. While it has an elegant side suitable for formal events, its unique, earthy character also makes it intriguing for dates and more curated casual settings.

Ingredients and allergens

ALCOHOL DENAT., PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), AQUA (WATER), ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, LIMONENE, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, EVERNIA PRUNASTRI (OAKMOSS) EXTRACT, LINALOOL, CITRONELLOL, GERANIOL, EUGENOL, CITRAL, ISOEUGENOL

From a shop in the United Kingdom. Boxes sold in other countries can differ.

Named in this list, in standard patch-test panels

Other allergens named in this list

Lists change between batches and markets, so check the box of the bottle you have. "Parfum" covers substances the label does not name, and we highlight only the allergens we could match. If you have a diagnosed allergy, look for the name your clinic gave you on your own packaging.

About

Opens with a vibrant, slightly tart burst of litchi and bergamot, underscored by the green chill of violet leaf. This fresh introduction quickly deepens into a complex heart, where a clean, elegant rose meets the dry, woody embrace of cedar and Angelica's subtle herbal spice. The journey concludes with a rich, grounding base of damp oakmoss, earthy vetiver, and robust patchouli, creating a scent that's both ancient and undeniably modern.

Similar

Alternatives

2 alternatives to explore

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Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once: the blends worth trying, how each one scores and where to spray See what layers well

Complement

Two people, two scents: what sits well beside it when you each wear your own See what pairs well

Where to buy

Prices for the United States · · checked 8 October

Prices before sales tax, which the shop adds at checkout.

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.